I'm talking about when the gift giver ASKS what your child(ren) want(s) and you are compiling a list for them to choose from.

Clothes will be on DS1s list this year and I'm getting pickier since he's in school now and I need the clothes to be durable and somewhat "in style". (ok, that one's not a need, but you get what I mean). So should I be specific and say "Clothing in size 6 or larger from Gymboree, Crazy 8 or Kohls only" or just ask for gift cards for this purpose or leave clothing off the list completely? Or just say "size 6 and up" and deal with exchanging (if possible) anything that doesn't work for us? That part seems counterproductive.

He NEEDS nothing, and currently only wears a 4/5, so this would be to have for future. I am perfectly able to buy clothing for my children, but I figure if people (specifically grandparents) are going to buy stuff anyway, it may as well be stuff he can use. So, all that to ask, how would you do it? Super specific or let them buy what they want anyway?

I ask for Gift Cards and cite my children's pickiness as the reason (though it's really for my benefit). It just got to be a waste for MIL to buy ugly clothes that I donate or stash away ...

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__________________Abby, SAHM mom to Maddy (10), Benny (7), Annie (3.5),and Joshy (1). Wife to my traveling hub for 11 years! Almost FT student (2nd time around). My life is not perfect, but I keep telling myself if I say it enough I will believe it!

I'm pretty picky about DS's clothing. I HATE clothes with characters or sayings on them. But only my close family and friends know this (mostly from rants about trying to find clothes I like). When people ask I just give them sizes and seasons (ie "summer clothes, 18-24mos) and exchange what I can if I don't like it. The rest become pjs or play clothes. I figure they'll buy what they like and can afford anyway. Only if they ask for favourite stores do I give that info.

IDK, my grandparents have seriously good style and I love it when they buy clothes for us. Somehow, they always get the sizes right (even dh's dress shirt size, which I didn't even know) and everything is always perfect. So, I am no help LOL.

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Natasha: Mom to toddlers and tweens and everything in between.

I'm pretty picky about DS's clothing. I HATE clothes with characters or sayings on them.

Same here. For now I try to return anything hideous, and the ugly stuff we use for that after dinner/before bedtime space if DD gets messy at dinner. I tried specifying brands at Xmas, but I think that only hurt MIL's feelings.

I know a lot of people dislike giving gift cards (my MIL would never give a gift card, she likes to shop). Generally if someone does ask though I would have no problem saying "we are in need of size 6 clothes, generally we stick to brands like X, Y, Z because the fit for DS is better and the quality last longer since my DS is rough on his clothes".

I think most people would understand that. Clothing all fits differently so it would help eliminate returns. Also if you get someone who doesn't like to go to gymboree, crazy 8, etc; they will most likely at least include a gift receipt.

I also do a lot of consumables, books, workbooks, crayons, stickers, crafts, etc.

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-Kathy, a WOHM mom to Victoria (11/11/07) and Lukas James (11/6/2012)!

I try to include a variety of specificity type things so people have options to buy something easy that is very specific or to go shopping and make choices. So I am specific on things I care about like clothes, and not on other things as much for the most part... like

I would feel uncomfortable asking for only particular stores, especially expensive ones. I as a general rule avoid asking for clothes though since father in law is an indiscriminate garage sale shopper and MIL seems to think that brown and orange are the only colors that exist in the world (earth tones make me barf). I think the disposable stuff like art supplies idea is the best one.